A letter from the Causa Board of Directors:

We know that the community mourns, alongside us, the loss of Causa.The contributions of Causa to the movement are many and the dissolution of the organization leaves a gap in the struggle for immigrant justice in Oregon. The board’s decision to dissolve was taken with great consideration. We have reflected deeply as a board; we have consulted with community members and movement leaders; and we considered and carefully weighed a number of options prior to arriving at this decision. While the decision is final, we understand and empathize with the shock and sadness many felt upon hearing this announcement, and the desire to revisit or better understand the decision.  

The organization has been facing significant challenges for some time. The internal strife led to mistrust and hostility toward anyone in leadership and the organization went through three executive directors in three years. In an attempt to address these challenges, the board, with staff input and approval, hired Jenny Pool Radway, a talented executive director. However, the tactics of hostility not only continued but escalated and included gross direct attacks and false statements. Unfortunately, the weight of the challenges proved too heavy and the dysfunction of the organization distracted from the work to the point where Causa was no longer serving its community. The organization and its staff had been through years of conflict and strife while the financial outlook became increasingly challenging. We do not believe there were any viable options remaining, and dissolution of the organization and reallocation of assets to functioning organizations is the only path forward. Following the announcement that Causa would be dissolved, seven of Causa’s staffers released a message to the community, sharing their view that the union “never fully represented its workers” and the reasons for Causa’s closure are “much larger” than a labor dispute. 

The events of the past month have only underscored that the organization could no longer continue to work in a positive manner. The organization’s internal conflicts were having a deeply damaging and divisive impact not only on staff and leadership but on our larger community and movement. The vitriol and threats leveled at staff and board members left us shaken and saddened, and gives us additional confirmation that dissolution was the right decision.  

We understand that there are a number of questions and concerns around Causa’s dissolution, in addition to some remaining questions from community members about the next steps. We recognize the sudden news was disconcerting to some, and while we worked closely with our sister organizations and community leaders to bring them into the winding up process, we regret not providing adequate and timely communications regarding plans for Causa’s future in a public manner. 

Our board is small, unpaid, and all-volunteer. The board has done its best to make each decision with the community Causa serves and the well-being of its staff at the center. We will continue to do our best to ensure that the community gets the clarity and answers you’ve asked for. We appreciate your patience to ensure a responsible winding up of the organization’s operations. 

Regarding programs:

• Oregon Ready Coalition: The Oregon Ready (OR) Coalition Steering Committee has been working with the key funder to ensure the work continues under new leadership and a new fiscal partner. Any questions about this program can be directed to OR Coalition steering committee members: Pedro Sosa, Mariana Garcia Medina, Antonio Ramirez Subria, Alex Senai Riedlinger and Theodora Lenihan. 
• Oregon Worker Relief Fund: Causa is proud of the catalytic role we played in launching the Oregon Worker Relief Program. The OWRF has been approved for its own 501(c)3 status to continue this important work. Any questions can be directed to the OWRF executive committee. 
• Other resources: Causa held a number of public, community resources. We are working with Capaces Leadership Institute to re-home any document that is a public or shared resource. This means that the knowledge Causa has held for decades will remain with our sister organization, to be put to further use by the community and community-serving organizations.

Regarding staff severance: 

• Once it was clear that dissolution remained the only viable option, the board moved quickly to ensure that we could preserve enough resources to support staff through this difficult time. All Causa staff were offered a severance equal to four months full-time salary. 

Regarding remaining assets: 

• It is critical to the board that any remaining assets of the organization return to support organizations who will continue the work of the immigrants’ rights movement. Causa’s board will work in partnership with Seeding Justice (formerly MRG Foundation) to assist in the administrative winding up of the organization as well as ensure a community grounded process for any remaining assets. We have a deep respect for the role of Seeding Justice in the community – they have been a partner and ally in the work of the movement and we believe their community-centered approach to philanthropy will do justice to the legacy of Causa. 

In community,

Causa Board of Directors